With the mass adoption of text messaging as a form of communication over the past 10 years, educators and linguists have lamented the butchering of the English language by the younger generation, what with its abbreviations, acronyms and all manner of "text-speak."

Yet, while many of us have learned to decipher our kids' text messages and really do understand what GR8, BTW and LOL mean, a new threat to the written word has been identified.

Educators in Georgia may start using the new standards in schools as early as the next school year. However, Matt Cordoza, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Education, tells the AP that teachers and administrators from across the state will meet in March to decide whether to amend the standards to retain cursive writing.

Typically taught in third and fourth grade, cursive is already disappearing in some classrooms. With students widely using computers or text messages instead of hand-writing their communications, teachers are choosing to spend less time teaching script, the news service says.

Even when handwritten assignments are required, many students reportedly prefer to use printed block letters instead of script, Ellen Jackson, a teacher at Clarke Middle School in Athens, Ga., tells the Athens Banner-Herald.

"A lot of my students over the years have stopped being able to read cursive writing, so when I write on the white board, I have to make sure to write in print because they can't read it," Jackson, who has taught English for 20 years, tells the newspaper.

Though cursive is still a requirement in Georgia, many teachers say they don't have as much time to spend on cursive handwriting lessons, and that standardized tests given to elementary school students don't measure how well they can write in script.

"You try to squeeze handwriting in anywhere you can," Lisa Lyles, a third grade teacher at Gaines Elementary School in Athens, Ga., tells the AP. "Unfortunately, the state has so many other standards that something like handwriting has gotten to the point where we don't have enough time in the day."

Those who favor keeping cursive in the curriculum say it helps kids learn how to read and communicate. However, the widespread use of computers has forced students to learn to type at the time they would be learning to write script.

Yet, more than 80 percent of written work in classrooms is still done by hand, Kathleen Wright, a national product manager for Zaner-Bloser, a publisher of education writing materials, tells the AP.

"Students need to become fluent in writing, and be able to write fast and automatic," Wright tells the news service. "What I'm hearing is these kids are missing the practice they need in handwriting instruction between second grade and middle school and their skills decline."

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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 10)

I have terrible penmanship and got a hard time from first grade to college. I think cursive is a very beautiful way to write but is outdated and was nice when writing letters was still and artform. I have to admit that my handwriting tends to be a mix of both. I'm 52 and because I have used computers so long that I type well and when I have to write I have almost forgotten how to handwrite properly. As long as printing in block letters is taught the world will not collapse.

Gee my grandchildren might be able to read anything I write when they grow up. I guess I'll have to use to computer to document anything I want to say to them. Just think future generation won't be able to read a lot of old documents, that's ok, I guess, it is or will be on the computer. What a great world we live in.

If children do not know how to read and write in cursive, they will be unable to have a signiture. Signitures are written in cursive, not print. And I do not understand how they dont have "time" to teach this, what in the last 10 years has changed so drastically that they must now replace cursive with it instead? Sounds like teachers are getting alittle lazy and want to be less hands on with their students.Also why do some of you think that they will never again use cursive? They must use it everytime they sign their signiture and more if allowed I would assume. Computers and texting on cell phones is used to justified to stop teaching skills that a person needs in life. I assure you that it is not valid.

Wrong. Signatures are written however you like. In print, in cursive, in italic script, in calligraphy. You can sign your name with a simple x or with a custom stamp if you like. It just has to be your mark.

You can value whatever form of writing you like, but don't prop it up with fallacious arguments.

Well, my children's penmanship is abysmal as well, but at least they can sign their names. What bothers me is not that penmanship is no longer being taught (I taught mine at home), but that kids are being encouraged to not complete assignments. My sons both had teachers that would tell them "If you are struggling, just do what you can" No accountability for work not completed and turned in, and this lasted through middle school. Then they have a rude turn around when they get to the high school level and are held accountable...

Because of some vocal parents, our elementary school is actually re-emphasizing cursive and I can see a big difference in what my daughter is learning as compared to what my son learned only two years earlier. This is necessary and should not be forgotten.

Wow what happened to the good ole days when schools taught Cursive and Typing in seperate classes. School systems are going down hill so fast I am so glad that I do not have kids in these school systems they suck.

Cursive writing should always be a part of the curriculum in schools. There will always be a need to handwrite certain things. One for example is your signature on legal documents. Everyone should still have the opportunity to have neat and legible handwriting. I went to Catholic school and i hour a day was spent on penmanship and over the years I have been complimented on my penmanship. Having neat, legible, and distinctive handwriting will always be of value.

Why should anyone be surprised by this article? New York City kids have not been taught to print for years, let alone receive instruction in cursive handwriting. Kids are taught to rely on word processing programs and calculators. Do I lament the state of education in this country? -- with one child in elementary school and another in middle school, you bet I do! Why there is not a national uproar and parents screaming at their local education officials, I don't know.

I was an instructional assitant in a high school for 24 yrs. I worked in English classes and Math classes. In the English classes, if students turned in assignments NOT written in cursive, the teacher told me to hand them back and tell the student they were not going to be accepted until written in cursive. In the Math classes, I worked with juniors and seniors on a one to one basis, and taught them their BASIC math skills (add, subtract, multiplications, etc.). They were not allowed to use calculators, and that's the way it should be.

I'm a retired 3rd grade and reading teacher. When my students came into 3rd grade they couldn't wait to learn cursive writing. It was fun to teach/learn and once they knew all of their letters and how to connect them. all of their work had to be done in cursive, so they learned it well and couldn't go back to manuscript. Of course, there are times when manuscript is appropriate to use, but cursive is so much faster. The only problem now is most writing is done on the computer or phones, so it's just not used that much. Even I, at age 68, do most of my writing that way and seldom write a handwritten letter. If I write to someone who doesn't have e-mail, I type it on the computer, print it, and send it in an envelope, so even we oldsters are "with it," but I still think kids should know how to handwrite in both manuscript and cursive. My mother had the most beautiful handwriting all of her life which she took great pride and when she died at agee 101, so many people mentioned how beautiful her handwriting always was. She learned via the Palmer Method.

Nice thought, but for those who don't have a computer or access to one (and that's more than you think it is), the ability to write legibly needs to still be a part of a well rounded edcuation. Not everyone is so fortunate! And while we're at it...for those who do have computer access, LEARN TO SPELL (spellcheck is just laziness, you should know this stuff), and LEARN PROPER USE OF WORDS! I can't even begin to count the times I've seen "to" in place of "too" or any version of "there", "their" and "they're" used incorrectly, among many others. The ability to achieve simple handwriting skills is not something that needs to disappear.

They took God and good sence out of schools Why not get rid of handwriting ? lets just keep on dumbing our kids down They make better communists that way. That's what the left wing teachers want and the teachers union too!! .

Wait until all these kids, who do not know cursive writing, get to high school and college, where you might be required to take notes in class. I can print really fast, but I can record ideas in print only about half as fast as in cursive writing.

Yeah but the fact of the matter is when you sign stuff like checks or legal documents for example you still have to sign for in cursive... So if nothing else maybe they should just teach them how to sign their name and for those that want to learn how to write in cursive more, move them to another classroom... though I doubt there would be a lot of kids in that class.

TheTalkies

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